Sheet-metal kitchen-cabinet.



0. M. OTTE.

SHEET METAL KITCHEN CABINET.

APPLICATION FILED NOV=-25. I916.

Patented Nov. 13, 1917.

3 SHEETSSHEET I.

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SHEET METAL KITCHEN CABINET.

APPLICATION FILED NOV25.1916.

1 ,246, 3 1 8. Patented Nov. 13, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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SHEET METAL KITCHEN CABINET.

APKLlCATlON FILED NOV; 25. 1916.

Patented Nov. 13, 1917.

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SHEET-METAL KITCHEN-CABINET.

Specification of Lgters Patent.

Application ma November 25,1910. Serial 110. 133,453.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, O'rno M. Own, a c1t1- zen of the United States, residing at the the improvement consists in providing a new and convenient stop for the sliding top of the cabinet which permits release of said top and its complete removal from the cabinet, and provides a wedge-lock for the sliding top which prevents movementpf said top when drawn out in working pos1t1on yet it may be released by simply pushing backward on said sliding top; also providing guiding ways for said top which hold it firmly in line, and overhanging ends in spaced relation with the flat ends of the cabinet which do not mar the finish of said ends; and the invention consists in the novel features and combinations hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective elevation of the kitchen ,cabinet with the sliding top in the closed position, showing the straight flat end with the overhanging sliding top; and Fig. 2 is a similar view with the sliding top in the extended p0sition showing the raised sides or guards and the finished or closed-ends of said guards in said extended position. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the top cupboard portion showing, the construction of the shelving with the sliding top in the withdrawn position, the rear upwardly extending portion of said top contacting the inner. side of the downwardly projecting flange of the spaced shelf immediately above said slidin Fig. his an elevation of the centra portion of the kitchen cabinet showing (the upwardly flanged portion of the sliding top in the withdrawn position, the closed position being shown in dotted outline. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the lower portion of the'kitchen cabinet with the upper portion or top cupboard in section and the central portion broken away, the sliding top being removed thereby showing the sliding ways or guides for said top and the wedge-lock stops at each end. Fig. 6 1s a sectional view of the shdmg top and a portion of the cabinet showing the guide support and the wedge-lock for said sliding top; Fig. 7 is a front to rear sectional view of the central portion of the sliding top showing the ser1es of lengthwise channel-shaped strips attached to the underside of said top to stiffen and strengthen the middle portion of the same so that said portion does not need support, the end supports being sufiicient therefor. Fig. 8 1s a perspective view of one end of the top of the lower portion of the cabinet showing one of the guide supports upon which the top is slidably mounted, also showing the notched end flange for the attachment of the wedge-lock for said sliding top. Fig. 9 is a lengthwise sectional View of the sliding top near its'front edge and an elevation of the upper portion ofthe lower frame of the cabinet. showing the guide supports or sliding ways for the slidmg top near each endand the wedge-locks Patented Nov. 13, 1917.

for said top. Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the sliding top alongside said supporting guide-ways with the top in normal closed pos1t1on thereon and showing the steps in dotted outline for the removal of the same.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the sliding top and the cabinet frame alongside the wedgelock and stop showing the construction and arrangement of the wedge-lock and stops for sliding top and the upper inwardly flanged edge of the cabinet frame showing the arrangement of the U-shaped limiting guide bracket. Figs. 16, 17, 18 and 19 are diagrammatic views of the joint at the back of the internesting shelves 'of the top cupboard portion of the cabinet, Fig. 16 showing the preferred form and the remaining figures showing modifications of the same. Fig. 20 is a perspective view of one of the corner braces showing the construction and arrangement of the same for spot welding to the sheet metal arts of the cabinet in the corners adjacent doors and wherever needed.

Fig. 21 is a sectional view of one of the front corners of the top section just above the bottom hinge for the top section with the sliding top partially withdrawn showingthe braced corner of the top section and the arrangements of the parts; and Fig. 22 1s a perspective view of the same portions of the cabinet with the top in the closed position.

Like characters of reference refer to corresponding parts in the several views.

The numeral 15 designates the lower portion or section of the cabinet, and the" numeral 16 the upper portion'or section. The lower part 15 is preferably arranged with doors 17 and a cupboard part closed by the door 18. The lower portion 15 is proferably about double the depth of the upper portion 16.

A top 19, sometimes called. the table top, is slidably mounted on guide-ways 20 a spaced distance from each end of section 15,

the guide-ways 20 being; slidably received in the downwardly extcn ing channel molding 21 on the lower side of the top 19, the upper edges of the guides 20 being curved to form a round bearing for the top upon which it slides with the least amount of friction. The channels 21 are made sufiiciently large to permit the free movement of the top 19 backward and forward upon the guides 20, being so arranged that the top 19 cannot be jammed in slidably operating the same.

The top 19 is preferably made of one sheet of metal and the end portions 22 of the top 19 overhang the top of the lower portion 15 in spaced relation thereto fully covering the joint between the top of said lower portion 15 and the top 19 yet not marring the finish of the fiat ends 23 of the cabinet alongside said joint, the slides 20 and 21 holding the top 19 so firmly in line that the spaced overhanging ends 22 cannot come in contact with the fiat ends 23 as the top 19 moves back andforth.

The flat overhanging ends 22 extend up vertically at 24 along the front edge of the upwardly extending flanged end portions or guards 25 of the top 19, the top of the upwardly extending portion 25 being extended outward in a connecting finish flange 26 and the outer sides of the flanges 25 are finished and held in spaced relation to the finished edge portions of the end 23 and top of the port1on25, so that when moved back and forth to and from the extended position said parts do not rub and the finish is not marred or injured.

Besides extending up in the end guards or flanges 25 the single piece top 19 also extends up in a back guard or flange 27 which forms a complete guard for the rear portion of the top 19 when in the closed position and I a continuation of said top connecting it to the lower shelf 28 of the top cupboard 16 when in the extended or withdrawn posisides of said top, the front edge flange 29 of said top overhanging the front side of the lower part 15 the same as the end flanges 22.

It is preferable to provide only the two guide supports 20 and 21, each guide support being placed a spaced distance from its and of the top 19 and section 15. By this a rraugcment the top 19 slides as easily backward and forward as though mounted on ball bearings. In order to render the entire central portion of the working or table top 19 as rigid as possible so that it will not sag or bend under pressure or weight while m use, a series of spaced lengthwise stillening plates 19 are welded to the underside of the top 19. Said stiffening plates are preferably channel-shaped pieces thereby giving a bearing for each edge and increasing the stiffncss of the angular construction. The sheet metal plate 19 and the channel pieces 19' are of sufiiciently heavy gage to render the entire central portion of the top 19 peculiarly firm for working thereon yet leavin it free to slide easily on the two end sli es or guide supports 20 and 21, the stifl'ening plates 19 extending lengthwise therebetween to within a spaced distance of the guides 20.

The top portion 16 is formed of internesting shelves 28 and 30 which preferably have the cove-shaped joint 31 shown in Figs. 3 and 16, the parts being formed so that each shelf seats upon the one below and may be spot welded thereto in line with the back wall of the vertical portion of said shelves, forming a coveshaped joint therewith both above and below the joint 31. Modifications of the joint 31 are shown at 32 in Fig. 17, 33 in Fig. 18, and 34 in Fig. 19, all of which would serve a good purpose. but do not form as smooth clean joints as the preferred form 31.

The corners of the light sheet metal and especially the front corners of the top portion'16 are reinforced for holding in correct angular relatlon two sections 0 the sheet metal, said reinforcement being preferably a channel-shaped sheet metal brace 35 with ends flattened to allow the brace 35 being electrically welded to the inner walls of the sheets of metal forming the corner or angular connection between the sheet metal parts.

be held firmly in position when withdrawn so that working upon said top will not move the same either backward or forward or up or down. In order to accomplish th1s purpose and provide stops for the top 19 either in the fully withdrawn or the fully closed position, a bumper 38 is provided at the rear side of each end of the top of the lower portion 15 and a wedge-shaped stop 39 is attached to the underside of the top 19 which preferably has a square rear end40 to engage the bumper 38 and stop the top 19 at the desired point when the top is pushed into the closed position.

A wedge-shaped block 41 is pivotally mounted in an opening 42 in the top end plates of the part 15, which part 41 is formed of a. lower block 43 and a top plate 44 which is attached thereto by means of screws 45. The block 43 has extending end flanges or lugs 46 and 47 and the plate 44 extends beyond the central portion of the block 41 to thereby form similar flange or lugs 46 and 47 on the upper side of the wedge-block 41. The block 41 is pivotally attached in the opening 42 by inserting the central portion in the opening 42 before the plate 44 is attached. -The plate is then attached thereto thereby permitting the block '41 a limited pivotal movement between the flanges 47 at the wide end, the flanges46 allowing said limited pivotal movement.

A latch key or slide bar 48 1s shdably mounted in spaced loop pieces or brackets 49 to engage beneath the lower lug 47 thereby holding the wedge-shaped block 41 in the raised position in the path of the wedgeshaped block 39 so that said blocks 39 and 41 come into a. wedging lock when the top 19 is withdrawn thereby holding said top 19 firmly in the locked position for working thereon, yet all that is necessary to release the top 19 is to push inwardly, thereby push: ing the wedge-shaped block 39 off of and away from the wedge-shaped block 41.

The weight of the metal parts would be suflicient to hold the wedge-blocks 39 and 41 in a fairly firm wedging contact to support the top 19. In using the top 19 as a kitchen cabinet however a.housekeeper will wish to tion 15 at each end so that when the block 39 is forced into wedging contact with the block 41 by the withdrawal of the top 19, the U-shaped guide 50} will slide beneath the flange 51 until said wedging contact between the blocks 39 and 41 is attained, which wedging contact will draw the lower leg of top 19.

the guide piece 50 against the under side of the flange 51 in a strong holding engagement which looks the blocks 39 and 41 in said wedging contact so that they cannot be Worked loose except by a strong quick pressure on the front edge 29 of the sliding withdrawn thereby permitting the block 41 to drop into the dotted position shown in Fig. 11, whereupon the block is moved laterally and then completely removed from opening 42. The top 19 is then moved outwardly, thus bringing strap 50 in a posi-.

tion to lie opposite to opening 42. The top is then raised causing the strap 50 to move up through opening 42. In this manner The long wedging contact of the complete removal of the top is permitted.

When block 41 is in the full line position of Fig. 11, the same will engage block 39 and arrest outward movement of the top and also prevent the strap from registering with opening 42. The interlocking supporting guides or sliding ways 20 and 21 would not,

however, permit the re moval of the top 19 with its U-shaped llmlting guide piece or clamp 50 if said sliding ways 20 and 21 extended from the front to the rear of the cabinet. Accordingly in order that the top may be quickly and easily adjusted on the cabinet frame portion 15 and also removed therefrom, the opening or notch 42 in the flange 51 extends to the inner edge of said flange 51 so that the lowerleg of the clamp 50 can be inserted or removed through said In order that the leg of the opening 42. clamp' 50 should be inserted or removed through the opening 42, itis apparent that the top must be moved upward or downward in a manner which full length guide ways 20 and 21.would not permit. Accordingly the front end of the guide way 20 is cut away at 52 back to the notch or opening 42 and the rear end of the channel guide 21 is correspondingly cut away at-53 so as to freely permit said upward and downward movement of the top 19 when it is drawn forward so that the cut away portions .52 and 53 correspond to vone another. It is only necesary to cut away three or four inches of the ends of the guide-ways thereby not impairing said guides in their oflice as supporting elements and sliding ways for the top 19.

The sliding top 19 covers the lower section 15 with the exception of the continuation of the flat ends 23 for supporting the top section 16. The sliding top 19 bisects the upper section 16 from the lower section 15 yet the cabinet is so arranged that all porfor other purposes.

tions of said sliding top 19 are available for use in any position, Whether open or closed or partially withdrawn.

The fronts 57 of the flanged end portions or guards 24 are shaped to form continuations of the cheek pieces 58 of the top section 16 at each side when the top 19 is in the closed position, and to form neat front standards and finish for the guards 25 when in the withdrawn position. The bottom hinges 59 for the doors 60 hide the joints 61 between the top of the standards 57 and vertical flanges 24 and the cheek pieces 58 of the top section, said hinges 59 being placed adjacent the joints 61 to hide the same and strengthen the parts, and corner braces 35 being preferably placed within said cheek pieces 58 to firmly "hold the supporting sheet metal.

A permanent receptacle 54 for culinary articles or materials is ofttimesdesirable in the sliding top 19.- The receptacle 54 is formed by means of suitable dies which tapers the metal into the desired form. The stiflening plates 19 are so positioned as to accommodate the depression 54. 'It is often desirable also to hold a receptacle in a fixed position for stirring the contents as well as This is accomplished by means of a plurality of teats 55, usually three in number, which are pressed upward in the sheet metal by means of suitable dies. The teats 55 hold the receptacle 56 against sidewise movement and may also be used to hold culinary utensils from rolling toward the front portion of the top 19. The receptacle 54 and teats .55 are finished or enameled the same as the rest of the top after being formed therein, and hence are smooth and easy to cleanse, yet being integral with the top 15 are firm and handy for instant uses They are preferably placed in the rear portion of the top underneath the shelf 28 when in the closed position.

I claim as new 1. In a kitchen cabinet, a frame, a top slidably mounted on said frame, and a wedging lock-stop for said top to bindingly hold the same against movement when in the withdrawn position.

2. In a kitchen cabinet, a frame, a top slidably mounted on said frame, and a lockstop for said top in the withdrawn position comprising wedge blocks placed to wedgingly interlock and hold said top against movement when withdrawn.

3. In a kitchen cabinet, a frame, a top slidably mounted on said frame, an inclined block upon said frame and an oppositely inclined block on the under side of said slidable top to wedgingly engage one another when said top is withdrawn, and means for holding said parts in wedging engagement.

4. In a kitchen cabinet, a frame, a top slidably mounted on said frame, oppositely inclined. blocks on said top and frame to wedgmgly engage one another, a U-shaped guide on the under side of said top slidably w engaging beneath an inturned edge on said frame to be drawn thereagainst by the wedging engagement and lock the same.

ably mounted on said frame, oppositely inclined blocks on said frame and top to wedgingly engage one another when said top is withdrawn, one of said blocks beingmovably supported on said frame to allow the complete withdrawal of said top, and a limiting element attached to said top to normally hold said blocks in Wedging engagement when in the withdrawn position, said frame having an opening for the insertion and removal of said limiting element.

7. In a kitchen cabinet, a frame, a top slidably mounted on said frame,.a wedgeshaped block on the under side of said top, an oppositely inclined wedge-block hinged in said frame in line with said wedge block on said top to engage the same when said top is withdrawn, means on said top to hold said blocks in wedging engagement, and a latch for said hinged block to allow its removal from the path of said wedge block on said top thereby permitting the complete withdrawal of said top from said cabinet.

8. In a kitchen cabinet, a frame, a top on said frame, a .slide way a spaced distance from each end of said top comprising an upwardly extending flange on said frame having a rounded return bend upper portion to slidably receive said top thereon, a channelshaped flange on said top engaging said return bend edge to hold said top slidably in line, spaced angular stiffening plates attached to the under side of said top between said slide ways to hold said top in line, and wedging lockstops on said frame and top alongside said slide ways to hold said top against movement when in the withdrawn position. V

9. In a kitchen cabinet, a frame, a top on said frame, a slide way a spaced distance from each end of said top comprising an upwardly extending flange on said frame having a rounded return bend upper portion to slidably receive said top thereon, a channel flange on said top engaging said return bend edge and to hold said top slidably in line, portions of said flanges cut away to permit the removal of said top from said wedgingly engage one another when said top is withdrawn, and a limiting element on sald top engaging said frame to hold said blocks in said wedging engagement when the top is withdrawn.

10. A kitchen cabinet comprising an upper cupboard and a lower cupboard bisected by a slidable top, the lower shelf in said upper cupboard a spaced distance above said top to render the entire top available for Work when in the closed position, an upwardly extending guard around the rear portion of said top and fitting beneath said lower shelf, the front ends of said guard forming a continuation of the cheek pieces of said u per cupboard when in the closed position, oors in said cupboard, and the lower hinges of said doors attached adjacent the joint between the'cheek pieces of said upper cupboard and the upper ends of said guards at each side to cover said joint.

11. In a kitchen cabinet, a frame, a slidable top on the frame, a member carried by the top for engagement with the frame, means carried by the top and means carried by the frame for limiting the outward movement of the top upon engagement with each other and for moving said member into engagement with the frame upon engagement of said means with each other.

12. In a kitchen cabinet, a frame, a slidable top on the frame, means carried by the top to hold the latter rigid when in withdrawn position, and cooperatin means between the top and frame for lmiting the outward movement of the topand for causing movement of said first named means into engagement with the frame upon outward movement of the top. V 13. In a kitchen cabinet, a frame, slideways borne by the frame and having upper I edges of substantially semi-circular crosssection, a top, and slides borne by the top and formed for interengagement withsaid slideways to hold the top, against other than sliding movement and having flat parts which ride on the topmost part only of the upper section of the frame, a closure for the 'upper section, and means to movably mount said closure including hinges which are arranged to substantially engage with the tops of the standards in closed position of the top.

15. In a kitchen cabinet, a frame, a top slidably borne by the frame, means to bindingly hold the top, and means operable upon withdrawal of the top for causing said first named means to bindingly hold the top.

In testimony whereof I have aifixed my v signature in the presence of two witnesses. I

O'IHO M. OTTE.

WVitnesses:

H. O. SANDBERG, I. E. NORDSTROM. 

